By By Adrienne McKenzie
Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union officially celebrated the opening of its new branch facility in Atmore Tuesday morning.
The official grand opening consisted of a ribbon cutting with Gulf Winds board members, Atmore Mayor Howard Shell, Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce directors and Chamber ambassadors in attendance. After the ribbon cutting, the officials and management had a social time where they received the grand tour of the facility. They also spent some time mingling over refreshments.
Mayor Shell spoke before the ribbon cutting, stating he hopes to have Gulf Winds in the community for many years.
"We look forward to working with you for a long time," Shell said when speaking to John Coker, Gulf Winds board member who lives in Atmore.
The Atmore Gulf Winds branch is the ninth Gulf Winds branch. It is a full-service financial institution that has newly constructed drive thru lanes, a drive-up night deposit, an ATM and several technology upgrades. According to Atmore's Gulf Winds branch supervisor, LeeAnn Allen, the new facility also has a palm reader.
"It (the palm reader) takes a reading of the palm of your hand so you can enter your safe deposit box instead of having to wait on someone to help you," Allen said.
Chris Rutledge, president and CEO of Gulf Winds, said the City of Atmore has welcomed Gulf Winds openly.
"The community of Atmore and the surrounding areas have welcomed us with open arms since we opened our temporary doors in 2004," Rutledge said in a press release.
Rutledge also said that the new facility should prove to Atmore residents that Gulf Winds is committed to high-quality service and products.
"This new branch in the center of downtown is a testament of our commitment to provide the highest level of service and financial products to the people of Atmore," he said.
Gulf Winds has already provided aid for numerous causes and initiatives in Atmore within the past two years. According to a press release, Gulf Winds has supported Atmore's Christmas Tree Celebration, Atmore's Twilight Christmas Parade, Atmore Country Club, Atmore's Relay for Life, Leadership Atmore, Mayfest, Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department, Poarch Creek Indians, The American Legion of Atmore, The Taste of the South, United Fund of Atmore and Williams Station Day.
For more information about the Atmore Gulf Winds branch, call 446-8669.